Historic Moment: Fire department’s Labor Day event

By Jorge Batlle

Skaneateles Village Historian

1876, on Oct. 10, there was what was called the Annual Parade with the Skaneateles Band providing the music.

Village Law Section 89 provides that the Village have “public inspection and parade of the fire department.” It was up to the Chief to declare a specific day as Inspection Day. This Inspection Day varied from late August to late September. For example, in 1888 Inspection Day was Sept. 12.  There was the inspection by the Village Trustees who were also by Law deemed Fire Commissioners. A parade followed. It was not a fund raising event.

In 1889, Skaneateles’ Torrent Engine Company #1 held a fund raising masquerade ball at Legg Hall for the New Year’s celebration. In 1892, Inspection Day was Sept. 15 with a parade and supper. 1893, Inspection Day was Sept. 19, with a parade, music and public reception at the new fire station on Jordan & Railroad (Fennell) Streets

Labor Day did not become a Federal holiday until 1894.

1895, the Fire Department held Inspection Day with a parade on Aug. 23. In 1896 the Fire Dept. parade and Inspection actually fell on the Federal Labor Day. A dinner was held at the Packwood House. (Sherwood Inn)

1898, The Skaneateles Free Press announced that the Labor Day Committee with have baseball games, bicycle races, southern cake walk, a grand ball at Legg Hall, band concert, boat parade. This was all run by Levi Brounstein.  In August of 1898 Fire Chief Bray designated Labor Day as Inspection Day of the department. However in 1899 the chief designated Sept. 21 as Inspection Day.

1900 Inspection Day was September 3rd and it carried through from here to be on the Labor Day holiday.  The chief has the responsibility to designate a specific date and time for the Inspection. The department was part of the village-wide Labor Day celebration. The department did have many fund raisers, such as dances, and a weeklong “fair’ in February at the Odd fellows Hall.

1910 was the first mention of fireworks

1916 Village under Quarantine.  Inspection Day moved November.

1943 due to the war, the Department voted to discontinue the Labor Day celebration in 1945, the department sent out letters soliciting funds. Labor Day was resumed in 1946.

These events were held in Clift Park on the shore of the Lake. The fireworks were shot off the end of the jetty or from a barge on the Lake. In 1954, the City repaired the jetty to accommodate the fireworks. In August of 1956 the Department voted to have Labor Day ‘as usual in the park on Genesee Street.

1959, voted to have a beer tent. 1964 discussed having rides. Tabled due to insurance costs. 1970 rides suggested to be located between the Sims Building and the tennis courts.

1974 July, it was suggested to have all events at the Ice Rink and do away with the use of tents. Sink the Boat was held at Sandy Beach. Alcohol sales approved for Austin Park.

1979 Rink’s rest rooms off limits due to new addition to the building. Porta-Johns now used.

1998 Sept. 7 – Skaneateles Labor Day event cancelled due to major storm to hit the county. The New York State Fair was also cancelled.

1998 Oct. 10, Skaneateles Labor Day event was completed at the airplane hangar off Kane Avenue.

2008 – Official dedication ceremony for the fire station at 77 W. Genesee St. Labor Day weekend event continues at the Allyn Pavilion in Austin Park.